Device equipped with a sensor

ABSTRACT

The invention is based on a device ( 10 ) with a sensor, which is guided with one hand ( 20, 22 ) over a surface ( 14 ) and in which the data detected are displayed by a display unit ( 38 ). The invention proposes that grasping surfaces ( 40, 42 ) for the hand ( 20, 22 ) be positioned on two approximately diametrically opposed sides of a grip ( 12 ), at least one of which sides has a sensor ( 26, 28, 30, 32 ) that detects the number of fingers ( 20, 22 ) resting against this grasping surface ( 40, 42 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on a device with a sensor.

There are known devices, which are moved by one hand over a surface sothat a sensor can detect properties of the surface and the detected datacan be displayed by means of a readout device, e.g. a display. Forexample, these devices can also be measuring devices that can measuredistances, areas, or the like. With regard to the display, depending onthe travel design and the grip design, the problem arises that incertain travel directions, the display is upside down and is thereforedifficult to read, thus resulting in reading errors, particularly whenthe upside down numbers can signify other numbers that are not upsidedown, e.g. 6 and 9. One solution to this problem is to have the user ofthe device manually preset the direction of the display by means of anactuator. However, this step is often a nuisance and is thereforefrequently skipped.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, grasping surfaces for the hand arepositioned on two approximately diametrically opposed sides of a grip,at least one of which sides has a sensor that detects the number offingers resting against this grasping surface. In this connection, thegrip and the grasping surfaces can be integral components of the housingof the device. It is only essential that the grip be in a preferredlocation on the housing of the device for maneuvering purposes so thatthe device is grasped at this location.

The invention is based on the knowledge that a different number offingers of a hand rest against the diametrically opposed graspingsurfaces. Whereas only the thumb rests against one grasping surface,several fingers of the hand rest against the other grasping surface.Since as a rule, the thumb points toward the user when grasping, theposition of the thumb and of the other fingers permit the user's viewingdirection to be deduced and consequently, the readout of the displayunit can be oriented in the viewing direction.

The sensors detect the number of fingers resting against each graspingsurface and generate a signal that orients the readout of the displayunit accordingly. All suitable types of sensors can be used for thispurpose, e.g. sensors that function according to a resistive,capacitive, or inductive measuring method, since the resistance, thecapacitance, or the induction of a measuring circuit containing thesensors changes according to the number of fingers in contact with it.However, photoelectric sensors can also be used, which are covered to agreater or lesser degree by the fingers, thus changing the incidence oflight. The signals of the sensors can be compared to reference values,which are characteristic of contact with the thumb or with the remainingfingers, thus allowing the device to detect whether the grasping surfaceis oriented toward or away from the body of the user. If sensors areprovided on each grasping surface, their signals can be compared to eachother in the evaluation unit.

One simple embodiment uses the resistive measuring method in which twoneighboring contact strips are provided on each grasping surface and theresistance of a measuring circuit that is closed by the fingers isevaluated by means of an evaluation unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of two devices according to theinvention, which are oriented in opposite directions on a surface,

FIG. 2 shows a schematic developed view of two measuring circuits,

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged, schematic top view of a grip,

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a grip, viewed in the direction of anarrow IV in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A device 10, e.g. a measuring device, is guided by hand over a surface14. The device 10 has a sensor, not shown, which points toward thesurface 14, and has a grip 12 with two diametrically opposed graspingsurfaces 40 and 42. The device 10 also has a display unit 38, whichdisplays the data detected by the sensor. If the device 10 is graspedwith the right hand as depicted at the top in FIG. 1 and is moved in theusual way in the guiding direction 16, then a thumb 22 of the hand restsagainst the grasping surface 40, while the remaining fingers 20 restagainst grasping surface 42.

In the longitudinal direction of the grip 12, contact strips 26, 28 areembedded in the grasping surface 42 and contact strips 30, 32 areembedded in the grasping surface 40; these contact strips are depictedin a schematic developed view in FIG. 2. The thumb 22 bridges over thecontact strips 30, 32 and closes a measuring circuit 34, whoseresistance 46 is evaluated by an evaluation unit 24. In the same manner,this evaluation unit 24 also evaluates a resistance 44 of a measuringcircuit 36, which is closed by the remaining fingers 20 resting againstthe contact strips 26, 28 of the grasping surface 42. Depending on thenumber of fingers 20, 22 bridging over the contact strips, theresistances 44 and 46 are approx. 0.3 M-Ohm to 2 M-Ohm, wherein theresistance 44 of the measuring circuit 36 that involves several fingers20 is considerably lower than the resistance 46 of the measuring circuit34 that involves only the thumb 22. Consequently, the evaluation unit 24can generate an unambiguous signal for the readout of the display unit38 by comparing the resistance values of the two measuring circuits 34and 36 to each other. If the resistance value of the measuring circuit34 is greater than that of the measuring circuit 36, then the right handof the user is on the grip 12, whereas if the reverse is true, then theleft hand is holding the grip 12.

The lower half of FIG. 1 shows the device 10 rotated by 180°, with aguiding direction 18. The handle 12 is now being grasped with the lefthand, the thumb 22 resting against the grasping surface 42 with thecontact strips 26, 28, while the remaining fingers 20 rest against thegrasping surface 40 with the contact strips 30, 32. As a result, theevaluation unit 24 generates a signal, which rotates the readout of thedisplay unit 38 by 180° so that the user can always read the readout inthe correct direction.

If sensors 26, 28 or 30, 32 are only provided on one grasping surface 40or 42, then the resistance values of the corresponding measuring circuitcan be compared to a fixed reference value. If the resistance value isgreater than the reference value, then only the thumb 22 is restingagainst the sensors 26, 28 or 30, 32; if the resistance value is lessthan the reference value, then the remaining fingers 20 are restingagainst the sensors 26, 28 or 30, 32.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 device 12 grip 14 surface 16 guide direction 18 guide direction 20fingers 22 thumb 24 evaluation unit 26 contact strip 28 contact strip 30contact strip 32 contact strip 34 measuring circuit 36 measuring circuit38 display unit 40 grasping surface 42 grasping surface 44 resistance 46resistance

1. A device (10) with a sensor for detecting data, wherein the device isguided with one hand (20, 22) over a surface (14) by a thumb and atleast one other finger of an operator and in which the data detected aredisplayed by a display unit (38), characterized in that graspingsurfaces (40, 42) for be hand (20, 22) are positioned on twoapproximately diametrically opposed sides of a grip (12), at least oneof which sides has a sensor (26, 28, 30, 32) that detects the number offingers (20, 22) resting against this grasping surface (40, 42), whereinat least one of the grasping surfaces has a further sensor, wherein thefurther sensor is activatable by the thumb of the operator, wherein thedevice switches between left-handed and right-handed manipulation,wherein the device (10) switches the content of the display device (28)between a left-handed and right-handed representation depending on thenumber of the fingers (20, 22) identified.
 2. The device (10) accordingto claim 1, wherein two neighboring contact strips (26, 28 or 30, 32)are provided as sensors (26, 28, 30, 32) and the resistance of ameasuring circuit (34, 36) that is closed by the fingers (20, 22)evaluated by means of an evaluation unit (24).
 3. The device (10)according to claim 2, wherein the sensors (26, 28, 30, 32) functionaccording to a capacitive or inductive measuring method.
 4. The device(10) according to claim 2, wherein the sensors (26, 28, 30, 32) arephotoelectric sensors.
 5. The device (10) according to claim 2, whereinsensors (26, 28; 30, 32) are provided on opposite grasping surfaces (40,42), wherein the signals of the sensors (26, 28; 30, 32) of one graspingsurface (40, 42) are compared to signals of the sensors (26, 28; 30, 32)of the other grasping surface (40, 42).